• PhD: Allonursing in the cooperatively breeding meerkat
  University of Cambridge, 2011–2014
• BSc: Zoology
  University of St. Andrews, 2005–2009

I am a behavioural ecologist interested in the links between animal behaviour, life history and physiology, and how individuals interact with each other and their environment, primarily (but not exclusively!) in reptiles.

These interests cover a broad range of topics, from predator-prey interactions, to anthropogenic noise disturbance, to ecophysiology, and reproductive and breeding system ecology.

Currently, my research is focusing on the intersection of a few major themes:

• environmental change - particularly winter warming - and how this impacts reptile behaviour, physiology, and population dynamics
• the role of stress in wild animals
• maternal effects - how a mother's environment influences the phenotype of her offspring
• the drivers and consequences of social and prosocial behaviour

For more info, see my personal/lab webpage.

’Rydwyf yn fodlon goruchwylio cwrs PhD

2023

• CyhoeddwydStress in the social context: a behavioural and eco-evolutionary perspective
  MacLeod, K., English, S., Ruuskanen, S. & Taborsky, B., 1 Awst 2023, Yn: Journal of Experimental Biology. 226, 15, jeb245829.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl adolygu › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2022

• CyhoeddwydA quantitative synthesis of and predictive framework for studying winter warming effects in reptiles
  Moss, J. & MacLeod, K., 1 Hyd 2022, Yn: Oecologia. 200, t. 259-271 13 t.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydContext-dependent effects of glucocorticoids on the lizard gut microbiome
  MacLeod, K. J., Kohl, K. D., Trevelline, B. K. & Langkilde, T., 1 Ion 2022, Yn: Molecular Ecology. 31, 1, t. 185-196
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydGas compressor noise does not influence tree swallow nestling condition or immune response
  MacLeod, K., Naugle, L., Brittingham, M. & Avery, J., Medi 2022, Yn: Journal of Zoology. 318, 1, t. 1-9
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydPredator-induced transgenerational plasticity in animals: a meta-analysis
  MacLeod, K., Monestier, C., Ferrari, M., McGhee, K., Sheriff, M. & Bell, A., 1 Rhag 2022, Yn: Oecologia. 200, 3-4, t. 371-383 13 t.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2021

• CyhoeddwydCompensating for a stressful pregnancy? Glucocorticoid treatment during gravidity reduces metabolic rate in female fence lizards post-parturition
  MacLeod, K. J., Langkilde, T., Heppner, J. J., Howey, C. A. F., Sprayberry, K., Tylan, C. & Sheriff, M. J., 1 Tach 2021, Yn: Hormones and Behavior. 136
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydThe influence of maternal glucocorticoids on offspring phenotype in high- and low-risk environments
  MacLeod, K. J., Langkilde, T., Venable, C. P., Ensminger, D. C. & Sheriff, M. J., 1 Tach 2021, Yn: Behavioral Ecology. 32, 6, t. 1330-1338
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydViviparous mothers impose stronger glucocorticoid-mediated maternal stress effects on their offspring than oviparous mothers
  MacLeod, K. J., While, G. M. & Uller, T., 1 Rhag 2021, Yn: Ecology and Evolution. 11, 23, t. 17238-17259
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2020

• CyhoeddwydAcademic ecosystems must evolve to support a sustainable postdoc workforce
  Alund, M., Emery, N., Jarrett, B. J. M., MacLeod, K. J., McCreery, H. F., Mamoozadeh, N., Phillips, J. G., Schossau, J., Thompson, A. W., Warwick, A. R., Yule, K. M., Zylstra, E. R. & Gering, E., 1 Meh 2020, Yn: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 4, 6, t. 777-781
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2019

• CyhoeddwydGestation alters the gut microbiota of an oviparous lizard
  Trevelline, B. K., MacLeod, K. J., Langkilde, T. & Kohl, K. D., 1 Gorff 2019, Yn: Fems Microbiology Ecology. 95, 7
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydGlucocorticoids do not influence a secondary sexual trait or its behavioral expression in eastern fence lizards
  MacLeod, K. J., McCormick, G. L. & Langkilde, T., 26 Maw 2019, Yn: Scientific Reports. 9
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydHistory of predator exposure affects cell-mediated immunity in female eastern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae)
  Sprayberry, K., Tylan, C., Owen, D. A. S., Macleod, K. J., Sheriff, M. J. & Langkilde, T., 1 Rhag 2019, Yn: BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 128, 4, t. 944-951
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydMaternal corticosterone increases thermal sensitivity of heart rate in lizard embryos
  Owen, D. A. S., Sheriff, M. J., Heppner, J. J., Gerke, H., Ensminger, D. C., MacLeod, K. J. & Langkilde, T., 31 Ion 2019, Yn: Biology letters. 15, 1
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydThe effect of novel and familiar predator cues on prey vigilance and foraging behaviors in the greater khingan mountains, Inner Mongolia, China
  Mpemba, H., Fan, Y., MacLeod, K. J., Wen, D. & Jiang, G., 26 Awst 2019, Yn: Applied Ecology and Environmental Research. 17, 4, t. 8219-8234
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydTree selection is linked to locomotor performance and associated noise production in a lizard
  MacLeod, K. J., Freidenfelds, N. A., Leighton, G. M. & Langkilde, T., 1 Maw 2019, Yn: Journal of Zoology. 307, 3, t. 195-202
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2018

• CyhoeddwydFear and lethality in snowshoe hares: the deadly effects of non-consumptive predation risk
  MacLeod, K. J., Krebs, C. J., Boonstra, R. & Sheriff, M. J., 1 Maw 2018, Yn: Oikos. 127, 3, t. 375-380
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydIn ovo microbial communities: a potential mechanism for the initial acquisition of gut microbiota among oviparous birds and lizards
  Trevelline, B. K., MacLeod, K. J., Knutie, S. A., Langkilde, T. & Kohl, K. D., 31 Gorff 2018, Yn: Biology letters. 14, 7
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydMaternal stress alters the phenotype of the mother, her eggs and her offspring in a wild-caught lizard
  Ensminger, D. C., Langkilde, T., Owen, D. A. S., MacLeod, K. J. & Sheriff, M. J., 1 Tach 2018, Yn: Journal of Animal Ecology. 87, 6, t. 1685-1697
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydSocial context-dependent provisioning rules in red-winged fairy-wrens do not vary with signals of increased chick need
  MacLeod, K. J. & Brouwer, L., 1 Medi 2018, Yn: Animal Behaviour. 143, t. 105-111
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydSurvival and reproductive costs of repeated acute glucocorticoid elevations in a captive, wild animal
  MacLeod, K. J., Sheriff, M. J., Ensminger, D. C., Owen, D. A. S. & Langkilde, T., 1 Tach 2018, Yn: General and Comparative Endocrinology. 268, t. 1-6
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2017

• CyhoeddwydDo mothers bias offspring sex ratios in carotenoid-rich environments?
  MacLeod, K. J., Brekke, P., Tong, W., Ewen, J. G. & Thorogood, R., 1 Ion 2017, Yn: Behavioral Ecology. 28, 1, t. 131-137
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydIntegrating Ecological and Evolutionary Context in the Study of Maternal Stress
  Sheriff, M. J., Bell, A., Boonstra, R., Dantzer, B., Lavergne, S. G., McGhee, K. E., MacLeod, K. J., Winandy, L., Zimmer, C. & Love, O. P., 1 Medi 2017, Yn: Integrative and Comparative Biology. 57, 3, t. 437-449
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2016

• CyhoeddwydMinutes matter: brief hatching asynchrony adversely affects late-hatched hihi nestlings, but not life beyond the nest
  MacLeod, K. J., Brekke, P., Ewen, J. G. & Thorogood, R., 1 Medi 2016, Yn: Animal Behaviour. 119, t. 111-118
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2015

• CyhoeddwydLow costs of allonursing in meerkats: mitigation by behavioral change?
  MacLeod, K. J. & Clutton-Brock, T. H., 1 Mai 2015, Yn: Behavioral Ecology. 26, 3, t. 697-705
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydNo apparent benefits of allonursing for recipient offspring and mothers in the cooperatively breeding meerkat
  MacLeod, K. J., McGhee, K. E. & Clutton-Brock, T. H., 1 Gorff 2015, Yn: Journal of Animal Ecology. 84, 4, t. 1050-1058
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2014

• CyhoeddwydJunior scientists are sceptical of sceptics of open access: a reply to Agrawal
  Carter, A. J., Horrocks, N. P. C., Huchard, E., Logan, C. J., Lukas, D., MacLeod, K. J., Marshall, H. H., Peck, H. L., Sanderson, J. L. & Sorensen, M. C., 1 Meh 2014, Yn: TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE. 19, 6, t. 339-340
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Llythyr › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydRevisiting non-offspring nursing: allonursing evolves when the costs are low
  MacLeod, K. J. & Lukas, D., 30 Meh 2014, Yn: Biology letters. 10, 6
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2013

• CyhoeddwydFactors predicting the frequency, likelihood and duration of allonursing in the cooperatively breeding meerkat
  MacLeod, K. J., Nielsen, J. F. & Clutton-Brock, T. H., 1 Tach 2013, Yn: Animal Behaviour. 86, 5, t. 1059-1067
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• CyhoeddwydNo evidence for adaptive sex ratio variation in the cooperatively breeding meerkat, Suricata suricatta
  MacLeod, K. J. & Clutton-Brock, T. H., Maw 2013, Yn: Animal Behaviour. 85, 3, t. 645-653
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2025

• Female Competition and Maternal Effects in the House Mouse (Mus musculus domesticus)

  5 Meh 2025

  Gweithgaredd: Arholiad (Arholwr)

2024

• Pool frog genetics - MRes

  18 Rhag 2024

  Gweithgaredd: Arholiad (Arholwr)

Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Research Fellow, Lund University 2019 - 2022

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Pennsylvania State University 2016 - 2019

Research Associate, University of Cambridge 2014 - 2016